Photo 1: Swiss children playing on top of a road marking in Zürich

Summary of Analysis:

Signage: The bus visible has “Swissair” written on it, and there are familiar European signs, hinting that this photo may be taken in Switzerland.

Architecture and Infrastructure: The buildings have rounded balconies, which are typical of mid-20th-century European design, seen in countries like Switzerland.

Crowd and Attire: The children are wearing clothing in bright colors with patterns, common in the late 1960s or early 1970s, especially in Europe.

Geographical Features: The image shows a well-developed urban setting with trolley wires above, which are indicative of Swiss cities like Zurich or Basel, which had these infrastructures in the 20th century.

General Context: Based on the bus, the city setting, and the clothing, this is likely a Swiss city and the combination of these elements points to a possible late 1960s or early 1970s timeframe.

Year:

• This photograph is likely from 1970.

• The children’s fashion, with bright and patterned dresses, is characteristic of European styles during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Moreover, the bus and surrounding vehicles, combined with the general condition of the street, suggest it was taken around this period.

• The lack of modern technology like digital signs or newer vehicles also narrows the timeframe to this era.

Location:

• The photo was likely taken in Zurich, Switzerland.

• The presence of the “Swissair” bus, combined with trolley wires and the architectural style, strongly suggests Zurich as the location. Zurich had a trolley system and architecture resembling what is seen in the image. Swissair was headquartered in Zurich, which strengthens this assumption.

Photo 2: Three women wearing burqas buying dates from a street market in Kabul. Since 2021 the Taliban have mandated that women wear burqas in public

Summary of Analysis:

• Signage: The billboards feature Arabic script and images of political figures, indicating a Middle Eastern or Central Asian setting, possibly a market scene.

• Architecture and Infrastructure: In the background, a mix of older, low-rise buildings and a more modern, blocky structure is visible, common in cities of war-torn regions during reconstruction phases.

• Crowd and Attire: Many women are wearing burqas, a type of attire typically seen in Afghanistan, combined with traditional attire worn by men, suggesting a location where conservative Islamic dress is prevalent.

• Geographical Features: The surrounding hilly terrain, with some sparse vegetation, points toward a mountainous region like Kabul, Afghanistan.

• General Context: The billboards, clothing, and mountainous landscape, combined with the urban street scene, suggest this image was taken in Kabul, Afghanistan, likely after significant political turmoil.

Year:

• This photograph is likely from 2010-2012.

• The visible political posters and the modern vehicle designs, combined with the bustling market scene, suggest that this image was taken post-2001, following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.

• The rebuilding phase in Kabul and the relatively modern clothing styles place the image within the early 2010s.

Location:

• The photo was likely taken in Kabul, Afghanistan.

• The conservative dress, along with the backdrop of hilly terrain and the political nature of the billboards, points directly to Kabul.

• The market setting and the vehicles visible in the background confirm it as a developing urban area, likely the capital.

Photo 3: A car approaching a junction next to Stuttgart Airport in the early 80s

Summary of Analysis:

• Signage: The road signs reference German cities like Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, clearly situating this image in Germany. Additionally, the sign for “Kelley Barracks” indicates proximity to a U.S. military installation.

• Architecture and Infrastructure: The highway design and signage suggest 1980s infrastructure, particularly with the clear, bold road signs typical of Germany’s road network during that period.

• Crowd and Attire: While no people are directly visible, the presence of a Volkswagen Beetle with a Berlin license plate and the Mercedes-Benz vehicle in the background align with car models seen frequently in the early 1980s.

• Geographical Features: The road runs through a somewhat rural or semi-urban area, which is common near the outskirts of larger German cities with U.S. military installations in the 1980s.

• General Context: With the mention of Kelley Barracks (a U.S. military base near Stuttgart) and the visible road signs for German cities, the context places this firmly in 1980s Cold War-era Germany.

Year:

• This photograph was taken in 1983.

• The Volkswagen Beetle and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, alongside the road signage and infrastructure, align with early 1980s designs. The presence of Kelley Barracks (a U.S. military base), still active in the Cold War, situates the image specifically in this era. The condition of the roads and vehicles also confirms this timeframe.

Location:

• The photo was likely taken near Stuttgart, Germany.

• The road signage for Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Reutlingen, combined with the proximity of Kelley Barracks, situates this image near Stuttgart. This was an area of strategic importance during the Cold War, with significant U.S. military presence.

Photo 4: Cubans watching a baseball game in Havana. Fidel Castro, the Cuban president who often used baseball as a political tool, was playing during the game

Summary of Analysis:

• Signage: The flags in the background feature the recognizable star and stripes of the Cuban flag, indicating that this photo was taken in Cuba.

• Architecture and Infrastructure: The seating and outdoor setup suggest a large public gathering, possibly a revolutionary rally or event, typical of Cuba’s political history post-1959.

• Crowd and Attire: The crowd is a mix of people wearing military berets and casual attire. The fashion, including the sunglasses and berets, points to the 1960s when Cuban revolutionaries commonly wore such items.

• Geographical Features: The image depicts a flat, open area with clear skies, typical of many public spaces used for large gatherings in Cuba.

• General Context: Based on the Cuban flags and the people’s attire, this likely shows a revolutionary event or celebration in Cuba during the mid-20th century.

Year:

• This photograph is likely from 1961-1965.

• The presence of Cuban revolutionary flags and the specific attire worn by some attendees, including berets popularized by figures like Che Guevara, point to the early 1960s, when public rallies and gatherings were frequent in Cuba following the revolution.

Location:

• The photo was likely taken in Havana, Cuba.

• The Cuban flags and the nature of the gathering suggest it was a political event, likely in the capital city of Havana, where many such rallies were held during the revolutionary period.

Photo 5: World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali drinking coffee whilst reading The Springfield Union during preparation for his famous second fight against Sonny Liston

Summary of Analysis:

• Signage: The newspaper being read in the image has a headline about the Dominican Republic revolt, providing a specific historical context.

• Architecture and Infrastructure: The setting is a simple diner, with plain décor typical of American diners in the mid-20th century. Nothing in the background suggests a notable architectural style.

• Crowd and Attire: The man reading the paper is wearing formal attire with a white button-down shirt, and other diners wear casual 1960s clothing, reflecting the era’s fashion norms.

• Geographical Features: The diner setting points to a common American locale, suggesting the photograph was taken in the United States.

• General Context: The historical headline about U.S. military actions in the Dominican Republic directly ties this image to the mid-1960s, providing a precise timeframe.

Year:

• This photograph is likely from 1965.

• The newspaper headline refers to President Lyndon Johnson sending troops to the Dominican Republic, a historical event that occurred in 1965.

• The clothing, setting, and the fact that this was a significant moment in U.S. history all confirm this date.

Location:

• The photo was likely taken in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

• The name of the newspaper, “The Springfield Union,” points to Springfield, Massachusetts.

• This local paper covered the event, and the diner setting further suggests an American location.